Final Week

Dec. 2-6, 2013

This week, I spent the entire time observing Steve and Nancy in South Pinellas County. I also got the opportunity to observe Steve's wife (Diana, TVI) work with a few students on one of the mornings that both O&M Specialists were unavailable. I am really glad this internship was designed this way (to experience other professionals at the very end), b/c it allowed me to go from running full speed to slowing down to quiet reflection before a complete stop. I still had some challenges, but it was so good.

It is crazy to think that out of this entire internship, the only bus travel I experienced was one. However, the attempt at observing a bus travel was probably about 6 times. Awhile back, I remember Bryan arranging for a HS student to perform bus travel 3-4 times and around the 4th time (no lie!), it actually worked out. We had one bus blow right past a student and one that came so early (beyond schedule) that we were 10 minutes early, but 10 minutes too late. The other times were just poor scheduling and configuring on our part. And now, this week (with Steve), we were preparing for bus travel with a student, we arrived to his school, prepared to pick him up and perform the lesson, and it was a no-show. My conclusion to all this bus business: come prepared and be prepared to experience flexibility!

I think out of all the students we saw between the 2 O&M Specialists this week, Bryan sees about that many students in one day! I experienced the most relaxed and laid back schedules I dreamed of. Did I prefer these schedules over Bryan's? I don't know. I think I kind of like being busy and going. However, I didn't seem to have as many aches and pains. That's for sure.

I really appreciated getting to know the different styles of teaching that both Steve and Nancy bring to the table. I can relate with each of their styles. In fact, now that I have sat under the teaching of all three, I am convinced that Bryan put me through some serious boot camp! It is so crazy to think about how all of this began, how I went into it not knowing anything outside of what is in those textbooks to experiencing the full gamut pure sweat and ache, yet reward and life-enhancement.

I appreciated Nancy taking me around the many different schools and introducing me to so many TVIs, paraprofessionals, and more. I loved watching how she connected with the students and how she had such a mother's heart for them. I can relate to that. I appreciated Nancy's honesty and challenge to do what it takes to be a good teacher. I look forward to including her as a sounding board for future references and situations. The one thing that I appreciate her telling me (that was not very easy to hear at the time) was that she feels like I think I have to have it all figured out before I begin this journey when in fact, none of us really have it "figured" out. This idea just gives me another reason to take a chill pill and to soothe that perfectionistic nature of mine.

I appreciated Steve's laid back nature, his many years of experience, and strength, yet gentleness when teaching. It was so crazy how he could go from one aggressive student at an ESE school (carrying himself like a large rock and being firm with the student so as to not encourage behavior) to an elementary student, requiring gentleness and patience. Sometimes I think those traits require more strength than actual gross motor skills and large fibrous muscles. I appreciated Steve's advice on pertaining to honesty in the school system and what is specifically written in the handbook and code of ethics. He challenged my thinking in certain ways and shared stories that inspired me.

The very last day of this week was such a blessing and it was the perfect transition from a hard-earned work-filled week to a closing chapter of the entirety of this internship. Of all the schools, meeting, students, and people we attended, we only served one student (Nathan) in the community. This student is completely blind and autistic. He challenges me to the core, but it was so great to see Nancy (unafraid) of touching, teaching, and sacrificing herself for this student. And, there I was - at that McDonald's table, with Nathan and Nancy in front of me while I ate the vanilla cone she bought for me (in celebration of this conclusive work). Observing Nathan's autistic outbursts and jitters helped me feel fearful again (like I once did at the start of working with Andrew and Dino). But, I saw Nancy - instructing that student with a mother's love in her heart and no flinch of fear. Regardless of what I was feeling in that moment, I realize that I was once there - at the plank of fear, but I know what it is to move past that.

And, now I know that when those emotions come...I know that those emotions will soon come to pass and as soon as my inexperience becomes experience...I will be more prepared than when I started - just as is with this.

THE END.